Centrifugal device



April 17, 1928.

G. H. LELAND CENTRIFUGAL DEVICE Original Filed March 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l //VVE/VTO/-?. GEORGE H LELAND.

. ATTQRNEY April 17, 1928. 6 1,666,458

G. H. LELAND CENTRIFUGAL DEVICE Original Filed March 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VENTOE. 60R6EH L FLA/VD.

Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. LELAND, OF DA YTON, OHIO.

CENTBIFUGAL DEVICE.

Original application filed March 18, 1926, Serial No. 95,579. Divided and this application filed January 5, 1927. Serial No. 159,141.

This invention relates to centrifugal devices and the present application is a division of the application filed by me March 18, 1926, Serial NO. 95,579.

One object of the-invention is to provide a centrifugal device in which the several weights of the series will be caused to move in unison and will be held against such displacement with .relation one to the other as will interfere with their proper operation.

To this end it is a further object of the invention to provide such a device in which the several weights will be individually connected with a connecting member which will cause them to move in unison and adjacent weights will have cooperating parts so arranged as to prevent the accidental disconnection of tlie weights from the connecting member.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which will be simple in its construction, inexpensive to 1nanufacture and efficient in operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail. I

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a centrifugal device embodying my invention, partly broken away to show a short circuiting device with which it is connected and also showing the brush lifting devices, partly broken away; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the centrifu al device showing the weights in their exten ed positions; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the commutator, brush lifting device, short circuiting device, and centrifugal device.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment I of the invention and have shown the same in connection with a short circuiting device and brush lifting device for an electric motor but it will be understood that this particular embodiment has been chosen for the purposes of illustration only and that the centrifugal device itself may take various forms and may be used in connection with other mechanism of Various kinds. v

In this particular embodiment of the invention the motor shaft, as shown at 5, has mounted thereon the usual commutator, comprising the body portion or core 6 and the insulated contact bars 7. Mounted about the shaft and spaced from the forward face of the commutator is a. retaining member or disk 8- and between this retaining member and the face of the commutator is arranged a short circuiting element comprising a series of contact members or weights 9 arranged circumferentially of the shaft and mounted for substantially radial movement by centrifugal force. Each of these weight members has its outer edge inclined forwardly from the face of the commutator and inwardly toward the shaft 5, as shown at 10, and this inclined ed e is preferably curved slightly. Each weig t is also provided with a contact portion or nose 11 to engage the contact bars 7 of the commutator.- Extending about the short circuiting weights and engaging the inclined edges of the several weights is a contractile band which is here shown in the form of an annular helical spring 12. This band acts upon the inclined outer edges of the weights to resist the outward movement thereof and to press the contact portions 11 thereof against the face of the commutator. The contact portions 11 of the several weights are so arranged that when the short circuiting device is in its contracted position these contact portions thereof will be out of engagement with the contact bars of the commutator but when the weights have been moved outwardly by centrifugal. force, against the action of the spring 12, these contact portions will be in engagement with the contact bars of the commutator and will short circuit the same. The retaining member or disk 8 has a rearwardly extendin bead 13 so arranged that when the weig its are in their outermost positions the contractile band will be on the outer side of this bead and when the weights are in their innermost positions the contractile band will lie on the inner side of the bead; thus retarding the initial movement of the weights and causing them to move quickly to one position or the other after initial movement has been imparted thereto. The weights are guided in their movement and held against relative displacement by means of spacing members or connecting plates 15 which are interposed at intervals between the several weights of the series. Each connect lot) instance, the connecting members 15 are arranged in pairs and the two members of each pair have their inner portions extending in opposite directions circumferentially of the shaft, as shown at 18, the outer ends of these members being turned outwardly, as shown at 19, and the several weights of the group which is associated with each pair of connecting members, rest on and are held in position by the circumferentially extending portions of the connecting members.

Cooperating with the commutator are the usual brushes 20 which are slidably mounted in brush holders or guides 21 and are connected one to the other by a conductor bar 22. Springs 23 act upon these brushes to press the same normally into contact with the commutator; Mounted in each brush holder is a pair of clamping members 24 which are acted uponby a spring 25 which tends to press them into engag ment with the brush, the movement of the spring and of the clamping members being controlled by a lever. .26, which seems to elevate the clamping members and lift the brush out of contact with the commutator and which in turn is controlled according to the speed of the motor shaft. The brush lifter itself forms no part of the present invention and therefore need not be further described as to'its. construction or operation, the lever 26 being the only part thereof which directly -co-acts with the centrifugal device.

Mounted about the motor shaft 5 on the forward side of the retaining disk 8 is a centrifugal device which comprises a series of weights 27 which are preferably segmental in shape and of which there may be any suitable number, five'being shown in the present device. This centrifugal device is connected with the lever 26 of the brush lifter to control the movement thereof and, 1n the present construction, the lever 26 has its forward end shaped to provide the same with a rearwardly opening channel 28 and the several weights 27 have at their outer ends forwardly extending flanges 29 adapted to extend into and move through the channel .ual flanges will be spaced short distances apart but this spacing will not efiect, their connection with the lever 26. It will be obvious, therefore, that. when the weights 27 move outwardly the lever will be .caused to movetherewith and likewise when the weights move inwardly the lever willbe caused to move inwardly. The several weights 27 may be assembled on the motor shaft .and their operation controlled in any suitable manner. As here shown, the several weights are confined between the retaining disk 8 and an. outer retaining member or disk 30 which fits loosely about the shaft 5 and is retained thereon by a split ring 31 mounted in a circumferential groove 32 in the shaft. Each weight has formed therethrough a radial slot 33 and the lugs 16 on the short circuiting weights 15 are of such a length that they will extend through the slots 33, the width of the 111 s being substantially equal to the length 0 the slots so that these lugs will have no appreciable movement with relation to the weights. .As here shown, the lugs are provided at their outer edges with lips 34 which engage the forward surface of the weights adjacent to the ends of the 1espective slots. The inner portions of the forward edges of the lugs are substantially flush with the forward surfaces of the respective weights so that they may pass the forward retaining disk 30. The weights of the centrifugal device are thus so connected -with the contact members or weights of the short circuiting device that the two devices willmove in unison and asingle contractile band 12 will control the action of both the short circuiting device and the centrifugally operated device but it will be understood that this relationship is peculiar to the present installation and is not essential to the operation of the centrifugal device, but any suitable "means may be provided to yieldably resist the outward movement of the weights 27.

In order that the several weights of the centrifugal device may be caused to move in unison and thus retain the several flanges 29 in circumferential alinement I have so connected these Wei hts one with the other that any movement 0 one weight will be imparted to the other weights. In the present device, fhave rotatably mounted upon the shaft 5 a ring or collar 35 having in its peripheral edge a series of notches or. recesses 36 corresponding in number to the nuifnber of weights. Each weight has an arm 37 rigidly secured thereto, and preferably formedintegral therewith, which extends beyond the one end of the, weight circumferentially of the motor shaft, this arm being of such a character and so arranged that it will extend between the collar 35 and the inner edge of an adjacent weight. Each arm has at that end thereof remote from the weight a projection or nose 38 which enters the corre-. sponding recess in the collar 35 and is capable of pivotal movement in that recess but is. held against circumferential movement.

with relation to the collar. As will be noted the arrangement is such that when outward movement is imparted to any one of the weights 27 the corresponding arm 37 will cause the collar 35 to rotate about the motor shaft and inasmuch as this collar is connected with all the other weights of the series these weights also are moved outwardly. As a result each weight is held against outward movement until the centrifugal force is sufficient to cause all the weights to move outwardly and the inward movement I of the weights is similarly controlled. Consequently the several weights will always be caused to move in unison. The several weights are so arranged with relation oneto the other that the parts or projections 38 of the several arms will be retained in the respective recesses in the collar during the movement of the weights- As here shown, each weight has at one end thereof a recess 39 and at the other end thereof a projection arranged to extend into the recess 39 of the adjacent weight. The arms 37 extend from and form the lower walls of the recesses 39 and each of these arms has a straight edge, as shown at 41, adapted to engage the inner surface of the overlying projection 40. The arrangement is such that when'the weights move outwardly by centrifugal force the projections 40 will be partially withdrawn from the recesses 39 but these projections will maintain contact with the straight portions 41 of the respective arms in all positions of the weights, as shown in Fig. 2. .This contact serves to hold the arm and the projection 38 of each weight against outward movement and also serves to 7 hold each weight against tilting movement which might cause the disengagement of the projection 38 from its recess.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided a centrifngal device in which the several weights will be caused to move in unison and in which the weights will be held against any relative displacement which might interfere with their operation, and in which the connection between the several weights will be constantly maintained. The device is very simple in its construction, can be manufactured at a very low cost and may be easily installed and maintained.

1. In a mechanism for controlling an operabledevice and in combination with a r0- tatable memberyan annular series of weights arranged about the axis of said rotatable member, movable radially by centrifugal force and having means to connect the same with said operable device, said weights having at their adjacent ends overlapping parts arranged to contact one with the other in all positions of said weights and to have sliding movement one on the other when said weights move radially, and yieldable means to resist the outward movement of said weights. I

2. In a mechanism for controlling an operable device and in combination with a rotatable member, an annular series of weights arranged about the axis of said rotatable member, movable radially by centrifugal force and having' means to connect the same with said operable device. each of said weights having at one end thereof an arm which extends between said axis and an adjacent weight, said arm and said adjacent weight having parts in sliding engagement one with the other and so arranged that said parts will remain in contact one with the other throughout the radial movement of said weights, and yieldable means for resisting the outward movement of said weights.

3. In a mechanism for controlling an operable device and in combination with a rotatable member. an annular series of weights arranged about the axis of said rotatable member, movable radially by centrifugal force and having means to connect the same with said operable device, each of said .weights having in one end thereof a recess and having at its other end a projection adapted to enter the. recess in an adjacent weight. said projection and a wall of said recess being so arranged that they will have contact one with the other throughout the tive weights, extending circumferentially of said shaft between said collar and an adjacent weight, and having parts extending lnto the respective recesses in said collar to pivotally connect. said weights therewith.

each of said arms and the adjacent weight having parts which are in contact one with the other in all positions of said weights. to hold said weights against displacement with relation one to the other, and meanscoacting with said weights to resist their outward movement by centrifugal force.

5. In a mechanism for controlling an operable device and in combination with a shaft, a centrifugal device comprlsing a series of weights arranged circumferentially' of said shaft for rotation therewith and having means for connecting the same with said operable device, a collar rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a series of peripheral recesses, each of said weights having a recess in one end thereof, and a projection at the other endthereof arranged to enter the recess in the end of the adjacent weight, arms projecting from the respective weights adjacent to said recesses, said arms having parts contacting with the inner edges of the projections on the adjacent weights and soy arranged as to be maintained in contact therewith in all operative positionsxof said weights, said arms also having projections extending into the respective recesses in said collar, and means to yiel'dably resist the outward movement of said weights'by centrifugal force.

6. In a mechanismfor controlling an operable device and in combination with "a shaft, a centrifugal device comprising a series of weights arranged circumferentially of said shaft for rotation therewith and having means for connecting the same with said operable device, a collar rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a series of recesses,

arms carried by the respective weigl1ts,'extending circumferentially of said shaft and having parts extending into the respective recesses in said collar to connect said weights therewith, said weights being movable in a substantially radial direction under the infiuence of centrifugal force, and adjacent weights having cooperating, parts to retain said parts of said arms in the respective recesses in said collar, and means for yieldmeans ably resisting the outward movement of said I ranged circumferentially of said shaft, ex-

tending into the space between said disks and having its inner end portion seated in one of said recesses in said collar, each of said weights having a part overlapping the outer edge of one of said armsand so arranged as to be maintained in contact therewith in all operative positions of said weights, and yieldable' means for resisting the outward movement of said weights by centrifugal force.

8. In a mechanism to control an-operable device and in combination with a shaft, a collar rotatably'mounted on said shaft and having a series of recesses, a plurality of weights arranged circumferentially of said shaft and each having an arm extending circumferentially of said shaft and provided at its inner end with a part seated in one of said recesses, adjacent weights having coacting parts arranged to contact one with the other in all operative positions of said weights and to retain said parts of said arms in said recesses, and yieldable means for resisting the outward movement of said weights by centrifugal force.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto. e

\ GEORGE" H. LELAND. 

